SFI in Support of A R Rahman

SFI in Support of A R Rahman In a highly disturbing and objectionable development a 'fatwa' has been issued against music director AR Rahman by Raza Academy on the premise of his association with the Iranian film Muhammad: Messenger of God directed by world renowned film-maker Majid majidi. Other than AR Rahman, the diktat or 'fatwa' was issued against all those worked behind the film including the director Majid Majidi. Any attempt to assault the right to work, speech and expression and artistic freedom should be rejected and resisted strongly. Any dissent on creative pursuit should be expressed only with democratic nature and progressive form, not with fatwas and bans. A united voice of secular and democratic sections of the nation should rise up against any such diktats. We also recognize and strongly condemn the attempt of VHP to communally polarize the issue by asking AR Rahman for 'Ghar Wapsi'. The communal agendas of VHP behind intervening this issue should also be defeated. Citing the unfortunate incident happened to noted musician AR Rahman the Vishva Hindu Parishad asked him to reconvert to Hinduism by the notorious 'Ghar Wapsi' . Seeking the possibility for communal hatred in whatever forms shows the ugly mind set of saffron brigade. Accusing whole religion for one group's derogatory remark is nothing less than an attempt to communally exploit. We should not forget the same behavior of intolerance and undemocratic approach showed by the Sangh Parivar fascists many times on many people including MF Hussain, Perumal Murugan, Deepa Mehta etc. The dastardly killing of MM Kalburgi is the very recent episode of sangh parivar assault on democratic voices. Communalism in all forms should be seen as a major threat to the progressive nature of any society. Communalism of seemingly opposing colours can never fight the other but foster each other and divide the society further. We request all the secular and progressive forces to be vigilant and united to resist any attempt to attack the secular fabric of this nation. The Central Executive Committee of SFI condemns both the attack on the democratic right of AR Rahman by the Raza Academy and the communally charged statement by Vishva Hindu Parishad. SFI stand in support and solidarity with AR Rahman and others. We demand the concerned authorities to take appropriate action against any moves to curtail the fundamental rights of the people or communally divide the people. Released by Dr. V. Sivadasan                                                                                                                                    Ritabrata Banerjee    President                                                                                                                                     M P, General Secretary